12 Minutes Of Exercise A Week Could Be Enough To Stay Fit

Only twelve minutes of exercise each week is enough to stay fit, according to a new study in PLOS One.

The research, conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, found that four-minute bursts of vigorous physical activity three times each week could elevate oxygen intake levels as well as lower blood pressure and glucose levels.

The scientists said:

"Regular exercise training improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), but the optimal intensity and volume necessary to obtain maximal benefit remains to be defined. A growing body of evidence suggests that exercise training with low-volume but high-intensity may be a time-efficient means to achieve health benefits."

For the current study, the investigators observed the impact of different exercise regimes. A total of 26 inactive, overweight, but otherwise healthy male subjects participated in the ten-week program.

The men were divided into two groups - one group (the 1-AIT group) exercised three times a week in four-minute sessions and the other group (the 4-AIT) undertook sixteen-minute sessions that were broken into four minute bouts.

Oxygen intake increased by comparable amounts in both groups. The four-minute group experienced a 10% increase, while the 16-minute group experienced a 13% increase.

A single session of strenuous physical activity performed three times every week may be a time-efficient strategy to improve fitness and lower blood pressure in healthy middle-aged people who were inactive in the past, according to the results.

Author Arnt Erik Tjønna said:

"A growing body of evidence suggests that exercise training with low-volume but high-intensity may be a time-efficient means to achieve health benefits.

The 1-AIT type of exercise training may be readily implemented as part of activities of daily living and could easily be translated into programs designed to improve public health."

Healthcare experts recently indicated that long, high endurance exercise may produce risks for physically unfit individuals. Therefore, this method of working out could help create a safer way of maintaining personal fitness.

I disagree that 12 minutes of exercise in a week shall improve or can maintain fitness. Fitness has many components and not endurance but strength,speed,agility,flexibility, core stability and so many othr components. being a sports physician literature all over the world does not corrborate this kind of study.

I would be concerned that 12 minutes of intense exercise for someone who is determined not to be a couch potato anymore could lead to injuries. The couch potato goes back to being a couch potato because exercise is a danger to health and well-being. A half hour walk would be a safe and effective alternative.

I ride a bike for 10 miles every morning. Not Tout de France training, but it's done my wind and leg muscles a world of good.

After going to the gym almost daily for years it is my experience that different things work for each individual.
Since we are all so bodily diversified how can one method be successful for all?
For example, many of us know people who can eat, eat, eat and never gain an ounce.
As I see it this is one of those ideas that I am sure would work for some but not for all.
And the only way to find out is to try it.

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